About Us

At UNC Charlotte, our engineering technology programs afford students an opportunity to learn through a hands-on orientation that challenges students to think critically, communicate, and work in teams to solve problems. Opportunities for professional internships, co-op, summer employment, and international summer study are also available to provide our students with real-world applications of theory and practice. Prior to 1991, the department conferred the Bachelor of Engineering Technology degree. The BET degrees in Civil, Electrical, and Mechanical received initial accreditation from ABET in 1974. In 1991, the department began conferring the Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology degree in those disciplines and has since added an additional major of study in fire safety and the Bachelor of Science in Construction Management degree. Currently, the Department offers the following disciplinary areas:

Undergraduate Programs

• Civil Engineering Technology
• Construction Management
• Electrical Engineering Technology
• Fire & Safety Engineering Technology
• Mechanical Engineering Technology

Graduate Programs

• M.S. Applied Energy and Electromechanical Engineering
• M.S. Construction & Facilities Engineering
• M.S. Fire Protection & Safety
• Graduate Certificate in Applied Energy

The Civil, Electrical, Mechanical Engineering Technology and Construction Management programs are accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET; http://www.abet.org.

Facilities

Our department’s home is the Smith Building, located in the core of campus. Labs and machine shops, staffed by full-time technicians and managers, give our students the chance for hands-on work with the industry’s latest applications. Upper-level engineering technology students have access to even more facilities and equipment on our west campus, including the 200,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art EPIC building (Energy Production and Infrastructure Center). 

Alumni

Our hands-on approach challenges students to think critically and work in teams to solve problems. With opportunities for professional internships and co-op employment, our students leave the program prepared for the job market. Our undergraduates report an average starting salary of $66,000, and 84% routinely find full-time work within six months of graduation. Our graduates land at a variety of organizations, including the City of Charlotte, Duke Energy, and Barrett Woodyard & Associates.